10.06.2026
On April 19-26, 2026, the lecturers of the K. Niemets Department of Human Geography and Regional Studies of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University took part in the 3rd International Teaching Week in Political, Economic and Cultural Geographies, which was held at the University of Ostrava in the Czech Republic within the framework of the Erasmus+ academic mobility program. The department was represented at the international educational and scientific event by the head of the department, Professor Kateryna SEHIDA, Associate Professor Nataliia HUSIEVA and Associate Professor Liudmyla KLIUCHKO. The organizer of the International Teaching Week was the Department of Human Geography and Regional Development of the University of Ostrava.
The event brought together lecturers, scientists and researchers from universities from 28 countries: Ukraine, Georgia, Poland, Slovakia, South Korea, the Netherlands, Kosovo and other countries. Among the participants were representatives of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Illia State University, Seoul University, Universum International College, Radbaud University, Wroclaw University, Marie Curie-Sklodowska University, Matej Běla University, as well as scientists from the University of Ostrava, Eötvös Loránd University, Babes-Bojai University, Rabat International University, Yerevan State University and other higher education institutions.
The program of the week was rich and diverse. It included lectures, panel discussions, interactive sessions, thematic meetings, workshops and events for professional networking. The participants focused on topical issues of contemporary geography: political transformations, urban processes, interstate conflicts, forced migrations, socio-economic development, regional identity, cultural spaces, sustainable development and post-war transformation of territories. The department's lecturers took part in the official opening of the International Teaching Week, which took place in the library of the University of Ostrava, as well as in a number of scientific and educational events. In particular, they joined the thematic panels "Talks in Political Geography and International Integration", "Talks in Economic and Urban Geographies", "Talks in Cultural and Regional Geographies", as well as discussions dedicated to suburban spaces, the concept of "learning cities", social inequality in post-conflict societies, the geography of China, migration processes in India and the problems of Asian integration. Professor Kateryna SEHIDA made a presentation on the topic “Ukrainian Landscapes: War Consequences and Sustainable Development Perspectives” and “Transformations of Ukraine’s Urban Symbolic Space: Participatory Practices and Memorialization”. Associate Professor Nataliia HUSIEVA gave lectures for students and participants of the event on the topics: “Ukraine’s International Image during the Full-Scale War” and “Forced Migration of Ukrainians: Four Years since the Full-Scale Invasion (2022–2026)”. Associate Professor Lyudmila KLIUCHKO gave lectures on the topics: “Urbicide and the Transformation of Urban Space during the Russian-Ukrainian War: The Case of Kharkiv” and “Russia’s Targeted Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure: Spatial Dimension and Threats to Regional Security”. Within the framework of the International Teaching Week, the department’s lecturers not only presented the results of their own scientific research, but also discussed with foreign colleagues the prospects for further academic cooperation, joint international projects, scientific research, publications and conferences. Special attention was paid to the topics of post-war reconstruction, transformation of urban and regional spaces, security challenges and the role of geographical science in the study of contemporary global and regional processes.
An important part of the visit was the working meetings with representatives of the International Office of the University of Ostrava, in particular with its head Bojana Yazicioglu and the coordinator of international activities of the Faculty of Natural Sciences Markéta Kopečká. During the meetings, the issue of organizing studies in the spring semester for four master's students of the K. Niemets Department of Human Geography and Regional Studies was discussed.
A separate important event within the visit was the meeting of the department's lecturers with students of the K. Niemets Department of Human Geography and Regional Studies, who are currently studying at the University of Ostrava under the Erasmus+ academic mobility program. During the conversation, they discussed the peculiarities of the organization of the educational process, the study load, adaptation to the international academic environment, participation in events held for foreign students, as well as opportunities for professional development, intercultural communication and meaningful leisure. Such a meeting was a good opportunity to support students, learn about their experience of studying abroad and discuss practical aspects of academic mobility.
In addition to educational and scientific activities, the program included study tours, visits to local scientific institutions and cultural events. The participants had the opportunity to get to know about the urban space of Ostrava better, in particular the Poruba district, which is an example of typical buildings from the socialist period.
The K. Niemets Department of Human Geography and Regional Studies of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and the Department of Human Geography and Regional Development of the University of Ostrava have many years of experience of fruitful cooperation in educational, scientific and project activities. Joint initiatives contribute to improving the quality of education, the development of scientific research, academic mobility and integration into the European and global academic space. Since 2022, 19 students and 11 lecturers of the department have undergone training and internships under the Erasmus+ program at the University of Ostrava. This became a significant contribution to the development of international academic mobility and the deepening of partnership relations between universities. Participation in the 3rd International Teaching Week in Political, Economic and Cultural Geographies has demonstrated the importance of international academic cooperation in the face of modern global challenges. Such events create a space for the exchange of experience, the development of professional contacts, interdisciplinary dialogue and the formation of new joint educational and scientific initiatives. The lecturers of the department express their sincere gratitude to their colleagues from the University of Ostrava and the Erasmus+ academic mobility program for the warm welcome, high level of organization of the event, attention to each participant and the opportunity to join important international academic initiatives.
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